Chapter 71 – You deserve to be a backup
Outside the West Gate of the Capital City.
Zhan Hongling and Lin Feng each rode a tall horse.
These were Yellow Grade mounts from Department Six, while ordinary horses were Common Grade. Yellow Grade horses were indeed superior.
Originally, Lin Feng wasn't qualified to ride such a horse, but his connections were strong.
"Are your friends reliable? Don't let them mess things up; we're dealing with three Second Rates here."
Zhan Hongling was a bit uneasy.
Lin Feng was about to respond when a voice called out from behind.
The two turned to see a handsome man riding towards them.
He was also dressed in the attire of Department Six, and his horse was noticeably larger and more imposing than Lin Feng's and Zhan Hongling's.
Seeing this person appear, Zhan Hongling was somewhat displeased. "Why is he here?"
"Hongling, I heard you're going after the Southwest Three Poisons. It's too dangerous. Let me accompany you!"
The man approached Zhan Hongling, his voice gentle, his eyes filled with affection, clearly a romantic at heart.
Zhan Hongling, however, seemed unimpressed by this type of man and impatiently said, "I didn't ask you to come. I can handle it myself."
The man wasn't offended, instead, he gently said, "Of course, I know you can handle it. I'm just worried something unexpected might happen. Besides, I'm free anyway, so let me follow you. Don't worry, I won't interfere. Just consider me a spectator."
With him saying this, Zhan Hongling couldn't refuse any longer and reluctantly agreed.
The man, seeing this, smiled and then turned his attention to Lin Feng.
"You must be Lin Yanfeng?"
"You know me?" Lin Feng was a bit surprised.
The man smiled and introduced himself, "I am Chasing Wind. My master is Hero Guo. He's been praising you a lot lately, saying we should find a way to recruit you into Department Six. I've also heard about your solo takedown of the Born Thieves. I've been eager to witness your prowess, and today, I see your reputation is well-deserved."
Lin Feng chuckled awkwardly, amazed at how well this guy could talk.
He wasn't very skilled at social interactions.
As a mercenary, he only knew how to complete tasks and earn rewards. Asking him to say something nice was harder than asking him to kill someone.
Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Lin Feng never considered socializing his strong suit. If he could act, he wouldn't bother with words.
Seeing someone so eloquent, he couldn't help but envy the guy's gift of gab.
"Not at all."
Lin Feng could only muster these three words, much like socially anxious people in front of a screen.
"If you're just a spectator, then talk less. This isn't the officialdom, so spare us the insincere flattery."
Zhan Hongling wasn't buying it and couldn't stand Chasing Wind's showboating.
Chasing Wind shrank his neck and obediently fell silent.
Lin Feng laughed at the scene, realizing that everyone has their match.
After a while, Lin Shiba and his friend arrived first.
Lin Shiba was also a handsome young man, cheerful in demeanor, and greeted Lin Feng proactively.
His friend, however, was a bit silent, glanced at Lin Feng twice, and said nothing, like a closed book.
"Don't mind him, Boss Lin. My friend isn't usually like this. He's probably in a bad mood today."
"No worries," Lin Feng shook his head, unfazed.
They waited a bit longer, but Mo Baibai was nowhere to be seen, and the agreed time had already passed.
Lin Shiba's friend was impatient, "Are we going or not? Let's hurry. It looks like she's stood us up. Are we going to wait here until dark?"
Zhan Hongling also asked Lin Feng, "Is your friend not coming?"
Lin Feng replied, "She said she ran into something and is almost here. Let's wait a bit longer. If she doesn't show up, we'll leave."
Shortly after, a skinny horse carrying two girls arrived at the city gate with difficulty.
One girl was in white, the other in green, both extremely beautiful, making Lin Shiba and his friend stare.
"Boss Lin, no wonder you were willing to wait. Such pretty girls are worth waiting for," Lin Shiba teased quietly.
Lin Feng was speechless. He hadn't even met them before.
But somehow, these two girls looked familiar...
Yet, he couldn't recall from where. It must be a man's illusion.
"Sorry, our horse was too slow, so we're late."
The girl in white apologized.
The girl in green complained, "It's because you're stingy, buying this cheap horse and riding it together. Of course, it's slow..."
The girl in white was embarrassed, glared back at her, and whispered, "Don't call me stingy in front of him, or I'll dock your pay."
The girl in green rolled her eyes and fell silent.
Seeing everyone was present, Lin Feng didn't want to waste more time and said, "Let's go."
They set off immediately, but their speeds were not on the same level. Lin Feng, Chasing Wind, and Zhan Hongling quickly took the lead.
Lin Shiba and his friend, riding ordinary Common Grade horses, struggled to keep up.
Only the two girls were left far behind, their skinny horse barely faster than a mule.
Chasing Wind, ever the gentleman, suggested, "How about I swap horses with them?"
Zhan Hongling flared up, "You like helping pretty girls, don't you? If you like them so much, go ahead! Why not ride with them on the same horse, take two at once!"
Chasing Wind was dumbfounded, looking innocent.
Lin Feng laughed heartily on the side. This guy had emotional intelligence but no brains, completely oblivious to a girl's thoughts.
You can't say such things in front of Zhan Hongling; no wonder you're just a spare tire.
Seeing him pitiful, Lin Feng decided to mediate, fearing their mood might affect the mission.
To read the uncut version, go to [p𝘢wread.com].
"How about this: let them abandon the horse and ride with Brother Chasing Wind. Brother Chasing Wind can squeeze in with Miss Zhan. How about that?"
Hearing Lin Feng's suggestion, Chasing Wind's eyes lit up, eager to become sworn brothers with Lin Feng on the spot.
[Ding! Chasing Wind's favorability towards you +40 points! Current relationship: Trust (if opposite gender, it's Like)!]
Lin Feng was startled. He merely said a word, and the other party instantly trusted him?
In other words, I just did a basic attack, and you used your ultimate???
Unfortunately, Lin Feng's proposal was ruthlessly rejected by Zhan Hongling, who finally allowed the two girls to ride with her and Lin Feng.
"What? Ride with a man? I don't..."
The girl in green was cut off by the girl in white.
"It's fine, it's fine. In the martial world, we don't fuss over such things. Junjun, if you're uncomfortable, ride with the other girl. I'll go to the other side."
With that, the girl in white quickly dismounted and happily approached Lin Feng.
Lin Feng had no choice but to extend his hand and help her up.
The girl in white blushed, her eyes stealing glances at Lin Feng.
Lin Feng was puzzled and asked, "Are you Mo Baibai?"
"No, she's Mo Baibai. I'm An Qingxue."
"Do we know each other?"
"No... no, we don't. It's our first meeting."
An Qingxue shook her head repeatedly, feeling a bit disappointed. Her savior really didn't remember her. Boohoo~~
Seeing this, Lin Feng didn't ask further, and they resumed their journey.
Before leaving, An Qingxue looked at the abandoned skinny horse with a pained expression, her heart bleeding~
...
Three updates~ More updates if urging exceeds a thousand, ratings exceed eight, or gifts exceed a hundred~